We had so much fun cooking, eating, and talking about the Keto diet on Tuesday night at Prairie Path Books! The discussion was wonderful, and everyone loved the recipes from Leanne Vogels book, The Keto Diet.
What's Special About This Book
Why did I choose this book out of all the Keto books on the market? There are a number of reasons that this book stands out to me.
- The recipes are based on a variation of the Keto diet that relies on healthy, non-processed, whole foods (think Paleo).
- She recognizes that each body is unique and provides resources to find the right “path” for your body.
- She provided four weeks of meal plans and shopping lists for each path.
- She uses leftovers in the meal plans, so you are not constantly cooking.
- Her balanced approach is refreshing. She focuses on lifestyle change, not dieting!
What Was On The Menu
We had samples of a salad, entree, side, dessert, and a drink.
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With the beautiful days of summer ahead of us it’s time to get outside! Enjoying the weather can naturally lead us to be more physically active, which is good for both our minds and our bodies. Let’s intentionally embrace these opportunities and find pleasure in our movement this summer!
There are ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily life and make it fun, so that it doesn’t feel like work. With so many amazing places to explore physical activity doesn’t need to be repetitive, boring, or expensive.
Let’s look at some ways to make this a great, active summer!
Incorporate Physical Activity Into Your Everyday Life
If you live a busy life and struggle to find time to be active, try to incorporate it into your daily life.
- Choose a parking spot far away from the building when out and about.
- Walk, or bike, places if possible when running errands, getting together with friends, etc.
- Carry your child or give them a piggy back ride to the car, the lunch table, or bedtime.
- Race up and down the stairs in between other less active pursuits.
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Think back to the end of the school year when you were a kid and had the entire summer ahead of you! For many of us it was an exciting time to dream of all the fun things we would do and adventures we would have during our break. As we get older, responsibilities tend to crowd out the childlike wonder that comes with summer, but what if we could reclaim just a bit of it?
What if we let our imaginations take flight and listened to what our hearts really want for this summer? We may not be able to do all the things on our summer bucket list (a trip to Hawaii, or vacation at an all inclusive resort), but we may be able to clarify what is important and lean into those things in little ways.
Clarify Your Values
Think about your priorities! If you don’t clarify your values it is easy to allow other people’s values to direct your days. Here are some exercises that can help you think through your values and decide what is really important to you.
- Take some time to think through what activities you would enjoy this summer, things that bring you life. Do you notice a theme?
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It’s almost summertime and Farmers’ Markets are starting to open up across many communities in the area! In addition to being a fun way to connect with your community and support local farmers, these markets are great places to buy nutrition produce.
The Benefits of Buying Local
When it comes to produce, buying local is the way to go! As soon as produce is picked, it starts to lose some of its nutritional value. Since most supermarket produce travels hundreds of miles from where it is grown to the store, it is out of the ground for quite awhile before it ends up on your dinner table.
Studies have found that levels of vitamin C and folate significantly decrease in produce over time. Eating fresh produce in season will give you more nutrients than eating the same produce in different conditions.
What About Organic?
Many people wonder if it is better to buy organic food from there grocery store, or produce that is not organic from a local farmer.
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Every cell in your body contains protein! Since your body does not store this essential macronutrient, it depends on your diet to provide adequate amounts. It is important to provide this as protein contains amino acids that are the building blocks used to repair and replenish all the tissues in the body!
According to livestrong.com, protein helps “build muscles, produce new cells, regulate hormones and enzymes, heal wounds and promote immune function”. It is considered the most important macronutrient in building muscle, which can elevate your metabolic rate. Since protein also helps you feel full longer, it is great for those wanting to lose weight.
Quality Proteins
Quality is the most important thing to remember when it comes to protein. The protein should be a complete protein, which contains all the amino acids. It also needs to be easily digestible, free from both preservatives and additives.
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